At least two months into the enactment of the Tobacco Control Act 2019, Modou Njie, Director of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has on behalf of the Health Minister declared all public places in The Gambia as non-smoking environment.

Speaking during events marking World Tobacco Day 2019, Mr Njie said the law bans smoking in public places, including restaurants, hotels, garages, among others. Adding that with effect from date all public places are declared smoke free environments, including police stations, health facilities, and all institutions.

He assured that the Tobacco Control laws will be fully implemented, while commending his Minister- Dr Mamadou Lamin Samateh – for endorsing their proposal to facilitate effective service delivery.

He said: “children under 18 should not be sent to buy cigarette; shopkeepers should not sell single sticks of cigarette. They should only sell per packet of cigarette. We want all places to be smoke free and we want to start from ourselves.”

On December 13, 2019, The Gambia joined the rest of the World to celebrate World Tobacco Day, on the Theme: “Choose Health, No Tobacco.” The event was held at the Central Medical Store in Kotu.

The 2006 Tobacco Control Act, which came into force on October 1, 2019 is meant to ensure a Tobacco free Gambia. The Act imposed band on public smoking, tobacco advertisement and smoking in public spaces.

Momodou Gassama, WHO Communication Officer in The Gambia, in his remarks commended The Gambia for championing the global crusade against tobacco.

He said a multi-sectoral working group committee comprising of all relevant Government sectors was set up to combat tobacco use, resulting in the enactment of the Tobacco Control Act.

Mr Gassama said the process of tobacco control started in 1988, in the USA, when people started suing tobacco companies for killing their family members; which is why World No Tobacco Day is celebrated. He added that this was at a time when the developing World were just consumers, while the developed World were producers.

He said currently 1.1 billion people are using tobacco, 80% percent of which are in the developing countries. He added that 8 million people are dying out of smoking, of which 7 million die out of direct smoking; while 1.2 million die due to second hand smoking.

Dwelling further he explained that when you smoke in a house, or in streets, the smoke remains in the air for five hours, and can harm anyone who inhales it.

He said World No Tobacco Day is celebrated May 31 every year, “but that does not matter”, adding that “what is important is celebrating the day”.

Commenting on the harmful effects of smoking, Mr Gassama said the “Impact of Smoking in the Heart” was the Theme for last year’s celebration.

“Tobacco smoking breaks your air sacks, causing respiratory problems. Two thirds of lung cancer deaths are caused by tobacco,” Mr Gassama said; noting that smoking causes 7000 different diseases.

He also said good numbers of children are smoking because they are exposed to smoking at home by their parents. “Tobacco and health are irreconcilable- tobacco and health- choose health,” he said.

Mr Gassama also said WHO has been supporting Government to generate evidence needed and design strategy to address challenges.

Other speakers included Commissioner Alhagie Sambujang Kinteh.

Reporting by Madi S. Njie